Following on from our conversation with the guys from Norse in Australia last week, this week I talk to the guys from Kiwi Black metal band Exordium Mors. Read this and you will learn what it takes to stay in a successful band for 12+ year when you are based in one of the most isolated countries in the world – if that’s not dedication then I don’t know what is!
* First off congrats on the new record deal – how did that all come about?
Black Mortum: We were approached by Kunal from Transcending Obscurity with a very
straight up no bullshit contract. We had worked together previously on “The Apotheosis Of
Death” album where he did PR for the Asia Pacific region for our label at the time “Iron
Blood and Death Corp” from Mexico. We also saw him picking up bands such as “The Furor”,
“Rudra” and “Dusk” which further solidified the notion that he shares our taste in metal and
the ethos that goes with it.
* Would you say bands from New Zealand (or even Australia) are
disadvantaged say, compared to bands coming from Europe or the USA?
Black Mortum: Hard call I think this one. There’s a very few things that we have to endure
that some Euro/US bands don’t have to deal with as much. Like there being next to no
neighboring countries to easily tour. Apart from Australia, the closest country with any sort
of metalhead population would be Indonesia. Just means building a dedicated fan base can
take longer. Even with the internet and its various flooded means to distribute your music
globally, the best way I find to get people to remember you within the masses of bands is to
tear them a new asshole live on stage! Everything outside this however doesn’t seem to be
much of an impact! If you got the chops you’ll find your way out to the rest of the world. It’s
far from impossible and we’re not the only remote region that has to deal with such an
ordeal.
Scourge: This isn’t a “black and white” situation, but there are definite limitations when
coming from the ass-end of the world. For instance, touring is easier for European or
American bands when playing in their respective countries. It is much more expensive for an
Australasian band to go to these places and tour, not only for flights but also currency
conversion.
Some positives would be that we are a bit of an “unknown” country for metal, thus it makes
us seem more “exotic” or “interesting” to the global metal scene. Also due to our “relative”
isolation, we’ve been able to foster our own “sound(s)” and create “unique” music, rather
than following whatever trendy bullshit is happening on a global level.
* Do you guys have a home studio set up to record or do you have a “go to”
studio to record at? If so do they understand what you guys needs sonically?
Black Mortum: All our releases were recorded live, as in the whole band playing together in
the main room with headphones. Overdubs for the vocals and guitar solos. Due to this
approach we have always gone to a studio in order to separate all instruments in a live
environment.
The last album was recorded at Revolver Studios in 3 days. Beast of a studio with awesome
equipment. Since the “Verus Hostis” EP we have used Alex Selman of “Odin Recordings” to
record all releases. He also mixed and mastered all of them bar “Sacrifice, Perish and
Demise” which was done by Cjs of “Temple of Sol”. Both engineers are close friends and
certainly understood what we needed sonically, both with roots in metal.
We will however take a different approach to the next release. All instruments will be
recorded separately. We have a studio in mind for the drums, and the rest will be done in a
home studio environment, either at Temple of Sol or at my place. I’ll spare the technical
details and purpose for each as I’ll be ranting for a while, haha but rest assure this is
certainly going to be a large leap in sound quality even though the whole lot wasn’t
recorded in studio. We’ll be bringing in Cjs once again to mix and master, however this time
he will be doing the capture too.
* What is the song writing process for the band? Do you come up with the riffs
and the band build songs around them? Do you have any input with the lyrics
or do you just let Scourge Witchfucker have free reign?
Black Mortum: Guitars and bass are all written together in a jam room. Sometimes one
person will come in with an idea and we will go from there, and others are completely
candid. This is always followed by a scratch track recorded for the drummer to come up with
beats and lyrics to be written.
Lyrics are always free reign for Scourge and we work together
with the drummer to come up with the beats in certain parts that are crucial to our initial
vision, however for the most part the drums are also free reign for the drummer.
We always talk among ourselves to ensure we’re aligned in approach. Discussing what type
of songs are needed for which parts of the next release, stylistic aspects on how we want
our music to progress overall. Rest assured we’re an evolving band and always will be. A
pledge to never be one who keeps releasing the same album again and again.
Scourge: I usually wait until the rest of the band has finished writing the music before I put
lyrics to it. That way, I can make slight adjustments to the song to fit around the lyrics if
need be (shorten/lengthen passages etc.). Once finished with writing the lyrics, the entire
band are given a copy to look over. If there are any adjustments to be made, then we will
mediate so everyone is happy with the lyrics, in particular the “intent” or “message” that I
am trying to convey. All band members can have input into the lyric-writing, and have done
so for some songs in the past, however the majority of lyric-writing is left up to me.
Santi: As Black Mortum and Scourge have already said, the song writing process really is a
collective effort with us and we make it a point to try and keep it this way. It’s happened
quite often that I’ll have a riff and I’ll have an idea of how it should be played or what should
go behind it and then one of the other guys will have a different idea that actually makes it
sound so much better than what I originally envisioned.
Our approach also helps us avoid writing songs that sound too similar to the next song. I know that there are bands where there’s the one songwriter and everyone just follows – that’s simply not for us. One other thing is that we have to be more than happy with the end result. The song has to be
something that we would actually listen to. We’ve often enough written entire songs and
then canned or took them apart after because we weren’t satisfied.
Assailant: The best part of it to me is when we take what is initially written by each of us,
say a riff or a structure perhaps an idea that was completely amping in its most raw form
and we focus on evolving it. We ask ourselves “what exactly can we do here to elaborate on
this part more”, “can we add something a little more interesting here”,”Lets up the ante
with this next bit”. At times it can be a very trying task, but from one song to the next we all
have that benchmark to meet for ourselves. We all have a limit of our own abilities to push.
As a result you end up with is this beast of a piece that glances left and right, completely and
utterly evil, varied paced and driven. You end up getting more than just your run of the mill.
That is what we look for in our riffs and to me it’s what genuine progress in our own art is.
* Its great to see you guys have a a mix of different ethnicities in the band, how diverse is the New Zealand metal scene?
Scourge: We have various ethnic lineages, but to save time I will say the major ethnicities currently in the band is English/Irish, Filipino and Malaysian/Sri Lankan. Some of us are 5+ generation NZers
though, whereas the others immigrated here when they were young adults or teenagers.
The NZ Metal scene is pretty mixed for the most part. Bands like CorpseFeast, Horrendous
Disfigurement, Nullifier, to name a few, have Maori and Pacific Islander members. Auckland
has a large influx of immigrants, so there are a wide range of ethnicities within the metal
community. Generally speaking, there isn’t racism in the scene and if people hold that view
then they get put in their place pretty quickly.
* Where is the best black metal scene in New Zealand? Is it mainly Auckland or
elsewhere?
Scourge: I wouldn’t say there is a “best”. There is quite a healthy collection of black metal
bands from all around the country, but the main cities like Wellington and Auckland have
the most.
* How easy is it to tour NZ?
Scourge: Fairly easy. All the main cities (Auckland, Wellington and (Anti)Christchurch) are
about half an hour to an hour and a half flight away from each other. Driving to smaller
locales is easier in the South Island than the North Island, but a good 5-7 hour drive can get
you to most places around the North.
It can be harder if you are an international band from Europe or USA touring here, for the
same reasons as a NZ band touring in Europe or USA as mentioned earlier. It is best done
when an Australian promoter has hooked up a tour in Australia in these cases, as NZ can be
added to the tour. Once on the ground per se, it is fairly easy to go from the main cities as
outlined above.
‘Black Mortum’, our guitarist, is part of Chaos NZ Promotions which brings bands over to NZ.
Absu, Behemoth, Impiety and Inquisition are just some of the names that have come
through here thanks to Chaos NZ Promotions. www.chaosnz.com has more information.
* How did the tour with Destroyer 666 come about? Were you happy with the
tour and if so why?
Black Mortum: Being a part of Chaos NZ Promotions, we received the offer and being big
fans it was on our bucket list of bands to bring to NZ. We got our brothers at Valhalla
touring involved and made it happen! Exordium Mors would be national support as in NZ, I
don’t think it would be disputed that we’re the closest / best fit for the shows. It was a great
little 2 date tour and it was certainly a privilege to share the stage with them. It had been a
while since we’ve played any new material, so these shows were a great time to unleash a
couple new tracks. A taste of things to come and it was well received!
* What are your thoughts on KK warslut and the way he deals with the metal
media?
Santi: He’s a rough character who shoots straight and shoots from the hip and I’ll say that
most people in Metal these days simply can’t handle that. It was great having a drink and a
bit of a long talk with the guy when they were here and for the record, we spoke at length
about politics, the current state of the Western world plus many other things and we see
eye to eye on so much. Yes, you read that correctly and I’m an Asian who migrated to New
Zealand.
As for how he deals with the “metal media”, if you’re talking about the agenda driven
personnel from that ironic website, well they had it coming. I mean they can say and write
what they want and by the same token, KK (and anyone else) can do the same. As far as I’m
concerned, those people from that website are the same wimps and posers that Manowar
spoke off and they should leave the hall.
* Speaking of touring have you guys done much touring in Australia?
Scourge: So far, we’ve done 2 small tours of Australia and opened for Tribulation in Sydney
as a once-off gig.
* Most bands find it hard to continue for more than 5 years you guys have
been going for 12 years now- what’s the secret to your longevity?
Black Mortum: I guess over the years it has always felt that we’re only still scratching the
surface of what we can do together as a band. We have been through multiple drummers
over the years (which is also another reason we don’t have that many releases) as finding
drummers here is difficult. Our core members have stayed the same however. With
inspiration to song-writing, there have been bumpy times but always suddenly sparks would
fire and we’d all be on board feeding off each other’s ideas.
I think that’s it. If you feel like your music isn’t progressing or the ones around you aren’t on
the same page, then get out. I think we have been lucky to have a group of good friends and
dedicated players with a similar artistic direction.
Scourge: Dedicated members
Santi: We’re Metalheads
* How did you personally get into black metal? What was your “gateway” band
so to speak?
Black Mortum: Back in my teens I was always into heavy and death metal. I was always into
Sepultura’s “Morbid Visions”, which one could argue is black metal. I only got into “black
metal” when I switched schools in ‘99 and met a few other metalheads. “The One Rode to
Asa Bay” video that directed me to the rest of Bathory and the “I Am the Black Wizards” live
video from “Emperial Live Ceremony” that was floating around #mp3-blackdeath on Dalnet
was what resonated with me most. I was pointed to them from said school mates. History
goes from there haha. Yes Metal Nerd as fuck and a lot of digging afterwards.
Scourge: Personally, Scandinavian bands such as Emperor, Mayhem and Bathory first led me
on to the path of black metal.
Santi: For me to answer this question completely, I’ll first say that Black Metal isn’t defined by one sound or style. The first encounter for me was back in 88/89 with the song “Black
Sabbath” when I was 13. This was followed closely by Slayer’s “Show No Mercy” album.
Even back then I could hear that they touched on a certain something in that album:
Blackness. That blackness wasn’t present on “South of Heaven” nor “Reign In Blood.” Years
passed and things like “Seven Churches” and “At War With Satan” came into my life and of
course I got into Mercyful Fate and Hellhammer. Around 1995 or so I heard Emperor’s “In
the Nightside Eclipse” but that sound wasn’t what I was looking for at the time, it would
take years before I got into it.
And then in late 2000 came a life changer: Dissection’s “Storm Of The Light’s Bane.” People
talk about certain albums being a watershed etc. and this was it for me. It had the same
impact that “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son”, “Rust In Peace” and “Sad Wings of Destiny” had
on me when I was a teenager.
So anyhow, as you can see the blackness was always there.
* What new black metal bands do you currently rate?
Scourge: I always have my ear out for new bands within New Zealand and globally. Since
you said black metal, I’ll keep it strictly black metal or bands with a black metal “influence”.
Locally, bands like Trepanation, Vomit Storm and Exaltation really impress me. Although
strictly not “new”, Inside Arkham, BulletBelt and Winter Deluge I also rate quite highly. The
mysterious Verberis is also quite killer. It may be time to do some shameless self-promotion,
but I did write a zine of which I did three issues ‘Axiom of the Elite’ which focused only on
NZMetal bands, if people are interested in the scene/bands I suggest picking up a copy. I still
have copies of issue 3 available, hit up deusintroclades@gmail.com for copies.
Globally, I’m quite digging the Black Twilight Circle bands like Volahn and Blue Hummingbird
on the Left. The Polish scene is also buzzing at the moment with the likes of Mgla, Deus
Mortem and Batushka, all of which I play regularly. Front is a brand new band that I can’t
seem to get enough of lately. May need to end it there or this interview will be a
comprehensive list of bands haha.
Santi: I haven’t heard any new Black Metal bands that have really done it for me this past
year but Deus Mortem’s new EP is quite good and there’s this band from Spain called
Sheidim that I’ve been listening to on and off recently.
A couple bands that I’ve gotten into quite a bit though are Volahn and Blue Hummingbird
On The Left (Los Guerreros del kulto de Huitzilopochtli!!!). I wouldn’t call either of them
Black Metal but they rule nonetheless!! Ah Axeman is another one.
* Has any of the band ever visited the USA? if So what did they think of it?
Black Mortum: Visiting the US for the first time in adulthood in February! I’ll let you know
after haha.
Santi: I’ve been there twice in recent years and I really like it.
* Does Exordium Mors have any “bucket list” shows they would love to play?
Bloodstock? Maryland Death fest? Hole in the Sky Norway etc?
Black Mortum: Maryland Death Fest, Metal Days and Party San Open Air are certainly
festivals I’d like to play in Euro / US. HammerSonic Fest in Indonesia would be another! Lots
of die-hard Indonesian metal maniacs over there!
Scourge: We are keen to play any overseas fest, I can’t say there is one that sticks out from
the rest personally.
* Any final words to your fans?
Scourge: Look out for our second full-length album to be released via Transcending
Obscurity Records in the next year or so. We hope to bring doom and destruction to the
masses in your respective countries soon! Denounce your gods and your politics. Worship